1. First child. First day of kindergarten.

Surely he’d look back and wave or drag his feet or refuse to release my hand and beg me to stay.

Nope.

Before inviting us to leave, the teacher gave each parent an apple shaped nametag that read: “Be nice to me. My child started kindergarten today.”

 He didn’t beg me to stay. He didn’t notice when I left. He didn’t know a huge piece of my heart remained in that room sitting on a little chair.

I went home, wrote the following note and gave it to the teacher when I picked him up at the end of the day.

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God gave us this child as a blessing—to love, to learn from, to lead to His love.

And now he’s given to you.

Through His direction we have done our best—in prayer, in practice,in preparation.

And now he’s given to you.

He is precious and beloved. He is pride and joy. He is as we all are—imperfect, journeying, created in His image.

We watch—afraid and hopeful—as he is given to you for a moment in time.

Touch him gently. Teach him strength. Tell him truths.

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Kindergarten never ends. Someone else will always seek to influence our children, for good or bad, help or harm. Pray for them—your children, of course, but also that those who are woven into their life will be gentle, encourage strength and speak truth.